Ashiya Rock Garden |
Hanshin
Ashiya
Ashiya Rock Garden is said to be one of the most popular spots along the Mount Rokko hike. Its countless clusters of curiously shaped rocks stir the adventurous spirits of hikers.
The rock garden is just over a one-hour walk from the Hankyu Ashiya-gawa train station. As you climb over the steep slope that borders Ashiya City and Kobe City's Higashinada-ku, a rock face lined with megaliths comes into view. Many years of rain and wind have whittled at the granite. The varied surface of these stones has caused those who lay eyes upon it to perceive various different expressions, resulting in this formation being called the 'Banbutsusou' (literally: All Possible Countenances). Hiking difficulty varies from trail to trail which means that even inexperienced hikers are more than catered to.
From the trail you can see Osaka Bay encompassing the suburban sprawl. The deep green of the trees, the blue sky, the sense of accomplishment you feel when you reach Kazefukiiwa (Wind Blowing Rock) which sits 447 m above sea level―it really is an experience like no other.
The name 'Ashiya Rock Garden' was bestowed by the late Kuzou Fujiki (1887-1970), a true pioneer known in modern times as the 'father of rock climbing' in Japan. He was an expert at using special ropes designed for mountain climbing―which at the time were rare―and was involved in expanding the number of rock faces suitable for climbing, as well as leading the development of scaling techniques. Ashiya Rock Garden is considered to be the birthplace of modern mountaineering in Japan. One of the intermediate level trails that goes through Jigoku-dani (Hell Valley) contains a slope that rock climbing enthusiasts practice and hone their skills on daily.
INFORMATION
- Name
- Ashiya Rock Garden
- Address
- The Rock Garden is an area that is situated between Okuyama, Ashiya City and Mori Motoyama-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe City.
The address for Taki-no-Chaya, which is near the Rock Garden, is as follows:
1 Yamaashiya-cho, Ashiya City, 659-0082 - Access
- Approximately 30 minutes on foot from Hankyu Ashiya-gawa station to Koza Falls. It takes a further 40 minutes from that point to Kazefukiiwa. At a leisurely pace, the trail that crosses through Mount Rokko’s summit all the way to Arima onsen is approximately a 5.5-hour walk.
- Telephone
- Ashiya Financial Department: 0797-38-2033
Queries relating to the Koza Falls area are handled by Taki-no-Chaya:
0797-34-1683 (Open 10:00AM - 4:00PM Weekdays, 8:00AM - 5:00PM Weekends and Public Holidays. Closed on rainy days.)
While some of the more perilous areas require chains to traverse them, the alternate paths are very well maintained so it is possible for novices and elementary school-aged children to make the trek. As it is a rocky area, make sure your footwear has proper gripping. Though rare, wild boars may appear, so be careful if you are bringing food with you. (Shigeyuki Maekawa)
Last updated: June 1, 2018
Event information and place details are subject to change. Please confirm in advance.
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Kobe City University of Foreign Studies
The English version has been created with the cooperation of Kobe City University of Foreign Studies as part of a series of Interpreting & Translation Projects contributing to our local communities.
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